Who Are We Prospect Hill Academy Charter School is a highly successful urban PK12 public school located in Somerville and Cambridge. We enroll over 900 students from cities and towns throughout the greater Boston metro area. Our inclusive and restorative school celebrates and serves a diverse community with 87 BIPOC 27 ELL and 16 of our students qualifying for special education services. Our mission is to prepare all students for success in college foster responsible citizenship and inspire a lifelong love of learning as we believe academic achievement opens doors and creates opportunities for our students.
We center the values of antiracism diversity equity and inclusion in our work. Our approach to instruction is founded on culturally sustaining inquirybased and studentcentered practices. To invest in the growth of our educators we offer comprehensive professional development instructional coaching and mentorship. Our campuses foster a collaborative team environment with extraordinary educators who are committed to ongoing learning reflection and professional growth.
What does a Special Education Associate (Integrated Learning Center) at Prospect Hill do The Special Education Associate assists special education teachers working with students in the Integrated Learning Center in ensuring that all students receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in accordance with IDEA
Essential Responsibilities:- Under supervision of a special education teacher assist with and/or provide high quality instruction to students with a variety of mild to moderate learning disabilities.
- Work as part of a teaching team to provide a supportive structured environment for students in the integrated learning center
- Collect data related to students IEPs to monitor student progress and inform instruction as directed by special education teacher
- Implement student accommodations and/or modifications per student IEPs with support of special education teacher
- Collaborate with special education teachers general education colleagues and members of the multidisciplinary team (OT SPL PT school counselor etc)
- Provide academic behavioral and social emotional support for students in the inclusive setting or in the Integrated Learning Center as directed by special education teacher
- Utilize instructional and assistive technology including AAC devices for students as needed.
- Provide explicit instruction in metacognitive and executive functioning skills (time management organization self advocacy etc. as directed by special education teacher
- Provide social coaching to support student access to social periods including recess lunch morning meeting etc
- Participate in professional development that is specific to the mission of PHA and responsive to the needs of our student population.
- Establish therapeutic rapport with students and use evidence based approaches to both proactively and reactively support student behavior
- Adhere strictly to timelines for the completion and submission of all required paperwork and data collection
Additional Responsibilities:- Fulfill noninstructional duties as assigned by the building director (morning supervision advisory bus duty recess duty etc..
- Maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times (attendance punctuality dress written and oral communication etc..
- Perform other duties assigned by the Director of Special Education and/or the Building Principal.
What Knowledge Skills and Experiences are needed for this role- Bachelors Degree required
- Understanding of state and federal regulations pertaining to Special Education
- Commitment to Prospect Hill Academys educational mission and values
- Commitment to and experience working with students from diverse backgrounds with diverse profiles
- Willingness to work collaboratively with a dedicated staff and involved parent body
- Experience supporting students with various needs and learning styles
- Flexibility collaboration and a growth mindset
- Ability to multitask and perform a range of instructional and administrative duties
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Attention to detail
Our students and families are diverse and we are committed to hiring educators who reflect the wonderful diversity of our students. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply to work at Prospect Hill.
Required Experience:
IC